sheehan



May .17 1927.

w. M. SHEEHAN RAILWAY GAR f ngz May 17 1927.

w. M. SHEEHAN RAILWAY CAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. '7, 1926 I l. .NHL n.3- Il, I,

ISO

Patented Mey 17, 1927.

UNITED STATES teasers PATENT orFIcE.

WILLIAM M, SHEEHAN, OF ST. LOUIS, MSSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO COMMONWEALTH STEEL COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A. CORPORATION 0F NEW JERSEY.

RAILWAY CAR.

Application filed January 7, 1926.

My invention relates to railway cars and particularly to the framing of freight car superstructure. Some of the details of my invention are especially adapted for hopper car structure, although my invention may be utilized in other car framing as well as in hopper cars.

The objects of my invention are to provide a maximum capacity for cars of the type described; to provide improved connections between posts and side chords and between side and end walls and between side and floor walls and the underfraine structure.

Other special objects of my invention will be referred to in the description, of the detailed structure.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a selected embodiment of my invention- Figure l is in part a top view of a hopper car embodying my invention and in part a horizontal section taken approximately on line l-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is in part a side elevation of a car and in part a vertical longitudinal section along the center line of the car.

Figure 23 is a transverse vertical section through one-half of the car.

Figure 4l; is an end elevation of the car.

Figure 5 is a top view of one corner of the car drawn on an enlarged scale.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken on line G-G of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a. vertical transverse section taken ou line 7-7 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a detail illustrating' the corner portion of the end floor sheet.

ltliggure t) is a detail ofthe side wall stifteninp; coi/istruction`v taken on line 9-9 of Figure l.

The car underframe illustrated forms the subjectanatter of my copendine application Serial No. 76,479, tiled December 19, 1925, and mounted near its' four corners upon trucks of the lgeneral type described in Patent No. 995 560, issued to H. M. Pager June 30, 191], and more particularly described and claimed in the coi'iendinn` ll'lager application Serial No. 841,706 tiled June 3, N225, which tvpe of truck permits the loca- `tion of the truck very close to the end. of the tlnderfra me and permits the locatitni of the hopper door very close te the cf' Serial No. 79,782.

the truck and therefore close to the end of the underframe. It is always desirable in hopper car construction to obtain maximum capacity for a given length and in some classes of service the length of the car is limited by the spacing of storage bins or other equipment into which a trainload of cars must discharge or with which the cars must otherwise cooperate. Hence the location of the end floors as close as possible to the 'end of the car is especially desirable in such cases and each structural feature or relationship of parts which contributes to such an arrangement or otherwise increases the car capacity, constitutes a real improve ment, ln my present disclosure a number of details helping to secure the above de* scribed result are described and l consider al such as parts of my invention.

The main portion of my car body comprises inclined end floors A, inclined side floors B, and vertical side walls C` the space between the lower ends of the inclined floors A and B being provided with hinged doors D, the structure and mounting of which forms the subject-matter of my copending application Serial No. 67,828, filed November 9, 1925.

The end floor A is shown as consisting of three plates, a fiat ceiitral plate l, and curved and flat plates 2 which are located at each side of the central plate l. Plates 2 curve toward the sides of the car and the longitudinal center thereof and are preferably arranged so that the arc of their curvature is tangent to plate l, thus avoidingr` the provision of an angle at the joints between plates l and 2. Along` a line spaced substantially from plate l, each plate 2 is flattened and bent outwardly toward the side of the car and inwardly toward the longitudinal center of the car indicated at 2a. The outer edge y of the bent portion 2a extends upwardly and outwardly in a. straight line from the lower edge of inclined side Hoor B to a point about halfway up the vertical side wall C and the remainder of plate 2 is shaped and bent to form a tri angular break portion 2 extending at an angle to portion 2 outwardly and inwardly toward the center of the car to meet vertical side wall C and inclined side ioor B, the cuter edge of tien El being' flanged as indicated at '55. parallel the side fluor and walf` and through which rivetel secure the end floor to the si de floo and wall. l

The flat central plate l entendi-5 upwardly and outwardly to a line apliroiiiniately above the striking face of the end sill lil and ie there provided with a top chord angle 8, one flange of which is disposed horizontally and the other lange of which ie inclineddownwardly and rearwardly to be Secured along the upper edge of plate 'l andthe upper edges ot adjacent platee Q, includ ing lthe upper ed es olf :iff/clio e 2". The horizontal flange ol' end top chord 3 torina an end platform proiecting yond the end eill of the car for a liunitei'l oietancc on each eide of the longitudinal center line of the car.,y ae perinitted by the Federal fil-al Appliance rules, and on' each side of this platforin forming portion the end top chord is inclined toward the eide of the car and inwardly toward the longitudinal center of the car to provide Ithe necessary clearance lctween the ende o'l the tope of the car Siders on adjacent care.

Four eide or corner poete l are located at the points indicated and entend upwardly frein the undcrlraiiie tothe top of the car side. Each of there poete fl is of Z-bar ci'oee section with its web extending ransversely of the car side wall and with its outer fla-ngc extending toward the center of the car andits inner flange extending toward the end of the car. The car eide walls C are inounted upon the outer flanges of these poste` and su'pplen'iental eide wall plates 5 are Secured to the inner flanges of these poets (eee FigureS 5, G and 7 It will be noted that these. supplementary eide walls are spaced inwardly freni the outer side of the car to leave a epace adjacent the end ol' the car for clearance around the side ladder rungs 6.

Near the top ot poet- Al vthe flangee of the latter are bent upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the poete, the outer flange T eXtend'n vertically upwardly to very near the top oil the poet and then being' bent inwardly ano upwardly at an angle ol about forty-.live degrees. The inner flange 8 of' the poet starte to incline upwardly and inwardly a substantial distance below the top of the post and terminates at approximately the saine point ae the outer flange 7.

A side top chord 9, preferably conaistinpT of a bulb angle, is carried on the top ol poete land the other side poets of the cai'. This angle ie disposed ae ehown so that its lower flange reste upon the inclined portion et poet flange 7 and ita upper flange is inclined at a slight angle to the inclined portion of poet flange 8.

The plate 5 euppleiiients the end portion of the eide wall and extentie. over the inclined portion of poet flange 8 and the `upper flange of top chord 9L This inclination of plate 5 increases; vthe car capacity over an arrangement in wlich a corresponding plate and the inner flange of the p would extend vertically tothe top of' the can My arrz'ingen'ient also faciiii'fateeI the downward discharge of the load freni ite outernioet point. rlhe outer end of plate 5 vertical and provides a support for the upper end of the ladder poet 6a.

A novel pressed or ci satg'uefet provides a rigid diagonal connection between the side wall and endfloor ol the car without rcducing the car capacity. lt includes. a horizontal flange l0, overlying the horizontal Ylange of the end' top chord 31 a bV iitiall-y channel-ahaped portion ll overly .ng the upper portion of plate 5 and eide top chord 9, and an: inwardly and downwardly inclined portion l2 which entende acroae the angle between the end floor and supplemental plate This; guseet Securely ties chords 3 and 9 to each other and torina a channellike reinforcement for the aide of the car corner, the inclinations of the various portione of the gue-eet aft anglea to cach other Serving to substantially incrceee itaI resistn ance to any distortion. lilith thie corner cenetruction7 the full value of' the end portion of the top chord 9 unnecccsary and the lower flange of the saine may be cut away partly as indicated at 9"L to provide clearancearound the adjacent top ladder' rung 6 which is Secured at one end to the upper flange o'l chord 6 and at the other end to the ladder post 6a.

The upper portione of the car side wall platee C are inclined inwardly over the lower flange of eide top chord 9. fit poets l and at other eelcctcd points; along the Side of the car the flangee of chord 9 are braced by euitable fillers I3. The lower portion ol" Leide walls B are criinped at 3l throughout the length of the aide floor to lit over the eaine and be riveted thereto, thereby eliminatingY any upwardly i'facinp` crevice which niipght receive inoiet'ure and dirt with objei'ftionable resulte.

een additional feature of the nicotine; of the end floor and car side structure ia the provision ot a flange le along' the upper portion of the edge ol section il ol. the end floor. Thin flange ia riveted to supplemental plate 5 and poet flange 8. lt the lower end of flange lei another short flange let is forined freni the edgeV of section 2t. This flange 'ebent at such an angle to the reniaindei' of the end floor plate that it ie parallel with and juxtaposed with the web ol poat- 4 and ie riveted thereto.

Another feature ol iny improved :inperstructure is the supporting of the inclined side floor B and the side wall C upon the car underfraine. ln Figure 3 the side ineni- 'bei' of the underfraine is shown in section and includes a niain vertical flange l5, a horizontal top flange 16 extending inwardly frein flange l5, and a shallow vertical flange Uli loo

lila-i masser 17 extending downwardly from the inner end of flange 16. Resting on flange 16 is a triangularI member extending upwardly and outwardly from the underframe member and having a flange 18 extending along the inclined side floor B, a flange 19 extending lrom the outer end of flange 1S to the top of flange 16, and a base flange 20 connecting the lower ends of flanges 18 and 19. This floor supporting` member includes a web 21 extending between flanges 18, 19, and 20 and this web is reinforced by a cross flange 22. A vertical flange 28 extends downwardly from the outer end of flange 20 and is secured to the underframe vertical Vflange 15. Projecting outwai'dly from flanges 19 and 28 is a web 23 terminating., f in a flange 33 which forms a continuation of flange 22 and extends downwardly within the outside line of the car and inwardly to engage the lower portion of flange 28. An enlargement 19a on flange 19 affords support for a pipe bracket 24 and the web 21 may be provided with openings 25 to receive brake rods, door operating` apparatus, or air brake or other piping. A suitable horizontal flange 25a aflords an extended bearing for such accessories. Preferably the floor supporting member just described will consist of a onepiece casting, although pressings or structural members may be interconnected to provide a similar support.

The side structure is further braced bytriangular stiffeners 26, the inner edges of which extend from near the lower edge of the side floor to the top side chord. These stifl'eners are connected to the side wall and floor and to the triangular supporting membci' just described by means of angles 27.

Both flanges of each angle 27 are bent inwardly at their Lipper ends to underlie the lower flange of top chord 9 and preferably the angles 27 are riveted to the top chord. `Between stifl'eners 26 and theend of the car l provide another stifl'ening member 29 comprising a pressing or casting of' V-shaped cross section and tapering from top to bottom and havii'ig flanged legs for attachment to the side wall. These flanges are bent inwardly at their upper end to underlie chord 9 and be secured thereto. l show fillers 13 in vertical alignment with stilfeners 29, the same providing a continuous post-like structure, parts of which are on different sides of the side wall. This result may be also accomplished by placing two angles back to back, fastening them together and to the side wall. T he tops to be bent inwardly described fer angles 27.

The straight horizontal lower end of the central part of the inclined end floor is spaced above the inner portions of the laterally inclined dumping doors, and to close the gap between these parts I provide a plate 30 attached to the underside of theadjacent underframe element and bent downwardly from the lower edge of the end floor.

As door D is inclined and crosses the horizontal plane of the lower edge of the end floor, it is unnecessary for plate 30 to extend more than partway across the end of the floor. As the rear or hinged side of the door is above the level of the bottom of the inclined floor, another gap is there pro duced between each floor and door. This gap is closed by the vertical web of the end door-stiffening member 32. 'This enables me to make the lower edge of the end floor and the corresponding portion of the underframe straight and horizontal which is an economical and otherwise desirable construction.

Each Z-bar corner post 4 is mounted on the end of an underframe side member 15 which terminates a substantial distance from the end of the car and is connected at its end to the adjacent draft sill Sil by a transverse member 35. This construction ties the superstructure and draft sills together and.

increases the rigidity of the car, at the same time unnecessary weight is eliminated by the shortening` of the car side sills.

0bviously, many of the details of my improved car structure may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth more particularly in the appended claims. if contemplate the exclusive use of all such variations as may be made in the commercial development of my car and as are included in the scope of my claims.

l claim:

1. ln a hopper car having a discharge opening, an inclined end floor comprisingr a flat central section, and curved sections tangent to said central section and extending outwardly therefrom toward the side of the car and inwardly toward the longitudinal center el the ear, said sections extending from said opening tothe end top chord of the car body.

2, In a hopper car, a car side wall and side floor, an end floor comprising a flat central section, a section on each side of said central section curved toward the side of the car and toward the longitudinal center of the car, and flat sections on the sides of said curved sections extending toward the side of the car and toward the longitudinal center of the car and connected to said side wall and side floor.

3. In a hopper car, an end sill, an inclined end floor, the central section of' which extends in a straight line across the car and the adjacent sections of which are inclined toward the sides and the longitudinal center of the car, a top chord on said end floor, the central portion of which extends in a straight line above said end sill and forms an end platform.

e. In a hopper car, a hanged side top,

chord, a flanged end top chord, the upper flanges on said chords extending outwardly of the car, and a gusset secured to said flanges to connect said chords to; each other at points spaced froin their ends, said gusset extending downwardly and inwardly of the car in the angle between said chords.

In a hopper car, a sidetop chord having anl upper flange extending outwardly and upwardly, an end top chord having an upper flange extending outwardly. a gusset having its body inclined downwardly and inwardly and' having a flanged upper portion secured to said chord upper flanges.

6. In a car, a side post with its inner face inclined outwardly and upwardly, a top side chord carried by said post, a top end chord, and a gusset secured to said chords and to said post face.

7. I'n a car, a post,x a top chord carried thereby, a top chord disposed at an angle to said first mentioned chord, and aV gusset connected to said post and chords and extending diagonally across the angle between said-chords, the diagonal portion of' said gusset being depressed below the level of its chord engaging portions.

8. lIn a car, an end top chord, a side top chord, a body post spaced from the end of said end top chord. and a corner gusset connected to said chords and posts, the diagonal portion of said gusset being depressed below the level of its chord engaging portions.

9. In a car, a body end structure, a Z-bar side post with its webextending transversely of the car and with the upper portion of its inner flange inclined upwardly and outward ly, a topchord carried by said post with an upper flange similarly inclined, and a corner gusset having a portion secured to said inclined flanges and a portion secured to said end structure, and a portion extending across the angle between the car side and end.

10. In a car, a post including a web, extending transversely of the car wall, and an inner flange, the upper portion ofl which is i 4clined outwardly and upwardly, an angular top side chord carried by said post and having a flange arranged at an angle to the horizontal and terminating adjacent the upper end of said post flange, and a connecting plate secured to the said flanges of said post and chord.

11. In a car, a post having inne-` and outer flanges. a flanged top chord, the width of which transversely of the car is less than the corresponding width of said post, said post being tapered longitudinally near its upper end to approxi-mately the width of saidf chord, and respective plates secured to said post fiangesand to said chord flanges.

12. In a car, a post having inner and outer fianges, a top chord carried by said post and having flanges disposed at an angle to each other, and individual plates connecting each flange of said post with a respective flange of said chord.

13. In a car, a post comprising a web with inn-er and outer flanges, the upper portion of which fianges are inclined upwardly and toward the center of the post, a top chord carried by said post, and load retainingplates secured respectively to said flanges and said chord.

14. In a car, a post having inner and outer flanges which are inclined upwardly and toward the cent-cr of the post, a top chord angie carried by said post with its flanges inclined to the horizontal, an outer wall secured to said post with its upper portion bent over and secured to one of said chord flanges, and a supplementary side plate secured to said post with its upper portion bent over and secured to the other of said chord flanges.

15. In a car, a top chord angle having its flanges inclined to the horizontal and vertical, a post carrying said angle, and ineinbers separately connecting inner and outer faces of said post to respective flanges oit said angle.

1G. In a car, a side post of Z-bar cross section, the upper portion of the 'outer fianger of which is inclined inwardly to iard the center line of the post, a top chord of angle cross section carried by said post with one flangeL resting on' said post flange, the other fiange of which chord is connected to the inner flange of said post.

17. In a hopper car, a side post of Z-bar cross section, the upper portion of the outer flange of which is inclined inwardly toward the center line oi' the post, a top chord of angle cross section, the width of which transversely of the car is substantially less than the corresponding width of said post side chord, resting on said post flange with the' outer extensions of said chord and post in substantial vertical alignment.

18. In a hopper car, a side wall and floor, a corner post, an inclined end floor sheet, the outer side edge of which extends from in back of the lower portion of the inner face of saidv pest to in front of the upper portion of the inner face oft said post and the portion of said edge adjacent said post being flanged vertically to be secured to said post.

19. In a= hopper car, a side wall and Hoor, a corner post having a web extending transversely of the car side wall, an inclined end floor sheet, the outer side edge of which extends from in back of' the lower portion of the inner face of said post to in front of the upper portion of the inner face of said post and the portion of said edge adjacent said post being flanged vertically to be secured to said post web.

20. In a car, a side sill, an inclined: side floor, and a member extending upwardly and outwardly from the top and side of said sill to support said floor.

2l. In a car, a side sill, an inclined side floor, and a member resting upon said sill and comprising a web and a flange extending upwardly and outwardly from the inner upper edge ol" said sill7 another flange extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer upper edge off said sill, and another flange extending outwardly and upwardly from the outer side olf said sill below its upper edge, the outer portions of said flanges being united and serving to distribute the load on said floor inwardly and downwardly to said sill.

22 In a car, a side sill, an inclined side ioor, and a member resting upon said sill and including a brace extending from a point adjacent the upper outer portion of said member to the outer face of saidy sill below the top thereof.

23. In a car, a side sill, an inclined side floor, and a onespiece casting including a triangular body resting on said sill and supporting said floor, a flange traversing said body near its outer end, and a portion extending downwardly and inwardly from said body near the outer end of said flange to brace said body from the lower portion of said sill.

24. In a car, a side sill, a side wall located above and outside of said sill, and inclined supports for said wall extending upwardly and outwardly :from said sill.

E25. In a hopper car, a side sill, a side floor extending upwardly and outwardly from said sill, a casting supporting said floor from said sill and including a web having reinforcing flanges, one of which is enlarged intermediate its ends, and a U-bolt pipe,- carrying bracket mounted on said enlargement.

26. In a hopper car, a side sill, an inclined ioor above said sill, and a triangular support for said floor carried on said sill including a web extending transversely of' the car having an opening for the passage therethrough of car accessories, and a horizontally extending flange on said web adjacent said opening for supporting such accessories.

27. In a hopper car, a dumping door opening, an upwardly inclined side floor with an end of its lower edge aligned with an end of said opening, an upwardly inclined end floor with a side of' its lower edge aligned with a side of said opening, and corner break portions connecting said side and end floors and .forming a dihedral angle with each of said floors. Y

28. In a. car, a vertical side wall, the upper edge of which is flanged inwardly and upwardly, and a stiflening member for Said side wall having a depth at its upper end corresponding to the inward extension of said edge and tapering `downwardly to the base of the side wall. y

29. In a car, a vertical side wall, the upper edge of which is fianged inwardly and upwardly, and a stiffening member for said side wall ill-shaped in cross section with its legs flanged and secured to said side wall and with its body tapering from its upiiier end to its lower end.

30. In a car, a vertical side wall, the upper edge of which is flanged inwardly and upwardly, an outwardly facing angular top chord carried by said flanged portion, a filler between the fianges of said chord, and an elongated stilfener on the inner .face of said side wall vertically aligned with said filler. said filler and stiffener being connected through said angle and side wall flange and forming a continuous reinforcing post' for stiffening said wall and supporting said chord.

3l. In a car7 a vertical side wall, the upper edge ofwhich is flanged. inwardly and upwardly, an outwardly facing angular top chord carried by said flanged portion, fillers between the flanges of said chord, and side wall stiffeners extending downwardly from the lower flange of said chord.

32. In a hopper car, a car end wall of convex shape comprising a flat central section, a curved section on each side of said central section, a second flat section at the outer edge of each curved section, and a third fiat section at the outer edge oi' each ofsaid second-mentionel flat sections, said latter-mentioned flat sections forming load supporting surfaces breaking the corners of the car. v

33. In a hopper car, a dumping door opening, an upwardly inclined side floor with an end of its lower edge aligned with an end of said opening, and a wedge shaped corner break portion with its apex at the corner of said opening, said portion extending diagonally upwardly from said corner and torming a dihedral angle with each of said floors.

34. In a hopper car, a side wall, an inclined end floor, and a channel-shaped gusset extending across the corner between the top chords of' said wall and floor and forming a diagonal brace for the latter.

35. In a hopper car, an end floor, a vertical sidewall, a` supplementary vertical member forming an offset end of the upper portion of said side wall adjacent said end floor, and a member forming a break in the corner el said side wall and end floor, said break member extending downwardly from the lower part of said supplementary member.

36. In a hopper car, an underframe terminating in an end sill, an inclined end floor, the upper edge of which is located substantially above said end sill7 and a top chord angle member having one flange disposed vhorizontally and projecting outwardly beyond the face of the end sill.

37. In a ear, a side wall, .a top chord including an outwardly projecting i'lange, a side ladder rung adjacent the end and top of said wall, said flange being cut away adjacent said rung to provide clearance about said rung.

38. In a car, a post, atop chord angle earried by said post with its flanges inclined to the horizontal, an outer wall secured to Vsaid post with its upper portion bent over .and securedtoone of said. chord flanges, and a supplementary side plate secured to said post with its upper portion bent over and secured to the other of said chord lflanges.

.39. In a car, a side wall, a. top chord includinga Hange inclined inwardly 'from said side Wall, side wall stiiieners including angle members each having the upper ends of both of its flanges bent inwardly beneath said chord flange.

40. vIna hopper car., an end lloor sloping upwardly toward the end of the car and having a straight horizontal lower edge, a dumping door sloping upwardly toward the side of the car with its front edge extending below the level of vsaid floor, and a plate forming a downwardly projecting vertical extension of said floor enclosing the .gap .between said floor and the front vportion of the end of said door.

el. In ahopper car, an end .floor slooping upwardly toward the end of the car and having a straight horizontal lower edge, a dumping door sloping upwardly toward the side of the car with its end extendingabove and below the level of' the lower edge of said floor, and means on said floor and door for closing the ,gaps between them at their adjacent edges.

42. In a hopper car, a side wall, an inclined end loor, a corner post for said wall adjacent said floor but located inwardly of the cai.` from the upper end of said floor and having its inner face inclined upwardly and outwardly, a plate supplementing said side wall and secured to said postace and eX- tending from said post toward the end of the car, and a ladder rung carrying post secured at its upper end to said plate.

43. In a car, a post having inner and outer flanges which are inclined upwardly and toward the center of the post, a top chord angle carried by said post with its flange inclined to the horizontal, .a corneignsset plate connected to the end oi said cord, an .outer wall secured tosaid post, kand a .supplementary side plate secured to said post with its upper portion secured to said gusset and .to one of the flan-ges of said chord angle.

dil. In a hopper car., an end sill, Aan inclined end floor., the upper edge -of'which is located substantially above said end sill, and a ftop chord angle having one flange disposed horizontally and, `intermediate its ends, `projecting beyond the tace of .the end. sill and beyond said intermediate portion extending' inwardly and outwardly to the car side.

4:5. In a hopper car, .draft sill, a side sill terminating short of the end of lthe car, a .transverse connection between the endl of said side sill and said draft sill, and a body corner post mounted =on the end of said side sill at the ,point of junction with :said lconnection.

46. In a hopper zcar, an under-.frame terminating in a striking face, an inclined end floor, the upper edge of which is located as far from the longitudinal center of the car as said .striking face, and a `top chord 'mem ber on said edge forming an end platform.

In .testimony whereof I ,hereunto aliix my signature this lstrday ofDecember, 1925. WILLIAM M. SHEEI'IAN. 

